Sing a Purim Song

It’s felt like Purim in my house since December.  That obnoxious toy that Uncle David bought Adina for Chanukah not only plays “Old McDonald,” every time she presses the cow button, but it also plays a Purim song from one of my earliest childhood memories.  Our music lady, Sandy Paskus, played piano as we all sang together:

Oh Haman was a high and mighty bluff,
In Shu Shu Shushan long ago.
He ordered Mordechai to take his derby off
In Shu Shu Shushan long ago.

So we sing, (3x) and raise a row.
For Haman he was swinging
While Mordechai was singing
In Shu Shu Shushan long ago…

How proud I felt to be a Jew as I sang along with Adina’s toy each morning.  I belt out the lyrics while making her breakfast, which she consistantly refuses to eat each morning (maybe singing, “Haman” ruins her appetite?)  After a few weeks of Shu Shu Shushan I began to suspect that perhaps her toy wasn’t really bringing in the Purim spirit.  Could the Jews have stolen the music from someone else? Impossible!  The 10 commandments are pretty clear about theft.

Because I had trouble remembering the lyrics to most Purim songs, I consulted with my dear friend, Google.  Here’s what I came up with:

Purim’s Here so Let’s Raise Cain—sung to Jimmy Crack Corn
Megila Megila—sung to the tune of Obladi Oblada by the Beatles
Esther’s Day—Sung to the tune of Yesterday by the Beatles
Purim Cabana—Sung to the tune of the Barry Manilow classic Copa Cabana

And my favorite: Shu Shu Shushan sung to the tune of Polly Wolly Doodle

See any pattern?  Jewish men are credited with composing much of America’s most memorable Christmas music.  Couldn’t they have given a little love to Purim?!  Do we really need to adapt Purim lyrics to secular American music?  There are some original oldies but goodies, such as Utzu Eitza and Wicked, Wicked Man, but we are definitely lacking an impressive choice of songs written in English for Purim.

Any takers out there who will write some original and exciting Purim music?  Until then, it looks like Adina and I will be celebrating the holiday with nursery rhymes and classic American rock.